After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 4

After Sheng Yunjin left, Butler Li outside the door entered the room. Observing that Sheng Mingzhao’s complexion looked rather good, he surmised the earlier conversation with Sheng Yunjin must have gone pleasantly.

“Chairman Sheng, Ms. Zhang Xiang and her child are still waiting outside the ward. What would you like to do…?”

Even though the paternity test results had confirmed the boy was indeed Sheng Mingzhao’s biological son, without explicit permission, Butler Li dared not casually address the child as “Young Master Sheng.”

Lying on the hospital bed, Sheng Mingzhao was still pondering his daughter’s parting words. Frowning, he asked, “Didn’t I tell you to send them home?”

Butler Li shook his head. “Ms. Zhang said she wouldn’t leave until she saw with her own eyes that you were safe and sound.”

A slight furrow in his brow was the only sign of Sheng Mingzhao’s irritation at this response. The boy’s appearance was something he had never anticipated, and far from bringing joy, it only filled him with annoyance and inconvenience.

Though only in his forties, Sheng Mingzhao had not taken care of his health in his younger years. Especially in the years following his wife’s death, he had practically lived at the company, working overnight shifts in an attempt to numb his grief.

Years later, when he encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his late wife, Sheng Mingzhao found a new outlet for his emotions.

One after another, any woman who shared even a slight resemblance to his wife was brought home for a time.

Over a decade of such unrestrained living, compounded by the relentless demands of running the conglomerate, had finally taken its toll on his body, manifesting in various ailments.

In this state, his first thought was to summon his daughter back from abroad to take over the family business. But he knew the chances of persuading Sheng Yunjin to return for such a reason were slim.

He was well aware that his daughter had been anything but idle overseas.

Beyond her studies, she had independently delved into stock markets and financial investments. Starting with just the few million in pocket money he had given her, she had multiplied her profits hundreds of times over the years, with no signs of slowing down.

While astonished, Sheng Mingzhao felt mostly proud—this was his daughter, after all.

But without this reason, how else could he convince Sheng Yunjin to return?

Just then, a long-forgotten former lover appeared before him, bringing along a child she claimed was his.

Their arrival was nothing but a nuisance to Sheng Mingzhao, but from another perspective, wasn’t this the perfect excuse to bring Sheng Yunjin back?

His daughter might not care about his company, but she cared deeply about her mother.

Back then, it was precisely because she couldn’t stand his habit of bringing various women home that she had chosen to leave the country.

Now, with a woman who stood a real chance of becoming the next mistress of the Sheng household, Sheng Mingzhao doubted his daughter would remain indifferent.

As for the child, he paid it no mind. Even if Sheng Yunjin refused to take over Mingsheng Group, that boy would never be its heir.

His thoughts returning to the present, Sheng Mingzhao waved his hand impatiently. “Have someone escort them back. The house and bank card I arranged for them are more than enough to ensure the mother and son live comfortably.”

Now that his daughter had returned, there was no need for this pair to appear again.

Pausing briefly, Sheng Mingzhao changed the subject. “Investigate the cause of this car accident thoroughly.”

Steward Li was momentarily taken aback before responding alertly, “Chairman Sheng, are you suspecting this accident was deliberate?”

Rubbing his tired temples, Sheng Mingzhao replied, “It’s not impossible. Look into it.”

Having reached his current position, Sheng Mingzhao knew how many eyes were watching him from below. Yet he never imagined anyone would dare threaten his life…

But since Sheng Yunjin had warned him, it seemed someone had indeed made a move.

…

Under Steward Li’s direction, Zhang Xiang and her son Zhang Lanyou were “escorted”—more accurately, forcibly ushered—out of the hospital by several bodyguards.

Realizing she wouldn’t be seeing Sheng Mingzhao today, Zhang Xiang cursed inwardly before putting on a show of shedding tears in front of Steward Li. After uttering some concerned words about Sheng Mingzhao’s wellbeing, she finally left with her son.

During the ride back, Zhang Xiang nervously bit her lower lip, gripping her phone tightly as she waited for that person to call.

She had followed instructions—bribing Sheng Mingzhao’s personal driver and successfully orchestrating his car accident after work.

The plan had gone smoothly. Now she could only hope that person would keep their promise and help her son inherit Mingsheng Group someday.

…

Knock knock knock.

“Si Mu, time to clock out~”

A woman with deep red wavy hair pushed open the office door, striking a deliberately seductive pose against the frame. She shook her head in amazement at the woman still working diligently at the desk.

“Honestly, I wonder if you’d still be this obsessed with work if you had a partner?”

Rubbing her stiff neck, Si Mu glanced up with an amused smile. “Work is work. That has nothing to do with relationships.”

As she spoke, she casually removed the hairpin holding her updo. Silky strands cascaded down naturally, framing her face before settling into an elegant fall down her back.

Zhao Yuanqi waited by the door, scrolling through her phone until something caught her attention. Stretching wearily, she complained, “All this overtime has my back killing me. Remember to give me a raise, Boss Si.”

Si Mu chuckled while retrieving her handbag. “You’re an equity partner. What raise would you need?”

The rest of the studio staff had long left, leaving only the two co-owners working late into the night.

Walking together to the underground parking lot, Zhao Yuanqi made one last attempt before parting ways. “Sure you won’t join me for drinks?”

Buckling her seatbelt, Si Mu shook her head. “You go ahead. Have fun.”

With a helpless sigh, Zhao Yuanqi crossed her arms and gave her friend a once-over. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she leaned against the car window with a mysterious smile and whispered, “Be honest with me, President Si. Don’t you ever have those… urges that are hard to ignore?”

As she asked, she even winked at Si Mu with a gossipy gleam in her eyes.

It wasn’t surprising that Zhao Yuanqi would ask such a thing. She and Si Mu had been college classmates and had known each other for over a decade, yet she had never seen Si Mu with anyone.

Though the tips of her ears, hidden behind her long hair, had turned faintly pink, Si Mu maintained a composed expression. “No.”

“Really?” Zhao Yuanqi was skeptical. It wouldn’t be strange for an adult to experience such natural physiological urges.

Clicking her tongue, she stroked her chin and studied Si Mu intently.

With that exquisitely beautiful face and slender, graceful figure—though her demeanor was a bit cold—it was precisely one of the reasons Si Mu was considered a top-tier crush in their sapphic circles.

“Are you… asexual?”

Frowning with genuine concern, Zhao Yuanqi began to worry. If Si Mu really was asexual, what a heartbreaking and regrettable revelation that would be.

Si Mu’s expression darkened instantly. She pushed Zhao Yuanqi away from her car door and said through gritted teeth, “I. Am. Not.”

Without waiting for a response, she slammed on the accelerator and sped off.

Left behind in a cloud of exhaust, Zhao Yuanqi coughed and cursed before finally getting into her own car and driving away.

Though she mentally cursed Si Mu the entire way, Zhao Yuanqi still felt relieved. At least she wasn’t asexual—otherwise, Si Mu would probably pour all that energy into work, and she’d inevitably be dragged into the grind too!

…

As the car gradually slowed, Si Mu drove with one hand, replaying their earlier conversation in her mind. Her cheeks flushed, and her other hand unconsciously brushed over her chest.

Beneath the white blouse, on her fair skin, lay a faint mark—like a long, narrow leaf.

Si Mu remembered: that mark had appeared after she’d had that kind of dream for the first time.